🇻🇳 Vietnam visa for Australians

Most nationalities need a visa for Vietnam. US, EU, UK, Canadian, and Australian passports get 45 days visa-free on arrival. That's a recent upgrade.

Who Walks In Visa-Free (and Who Doesn't)

If you're from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, or most of the EU, you're golden for 45 days without needing to apply beforehand. This is a significant jump from the previous 15-day allowance, making Vietnam a much more attractive stop for digital nomads. Just make sure your passport has at least six months' validity and two blank pages. You'll also need proof of onward travel, usually a flight ticket out of the country.

Citizens of certain countries can get a visa on arrival, but this requires pre-approval. You'll need to apply for a visa approval letter online before you fly. This route typically grants 30-day single-entry stays. For everyone else, or if you need longer than 45 days and aren't eligible for the visa-on-arrival scheme, you'll need to apply for a visa at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate before you travel. Don't leave this to the last minute; processing times can vary.

The Gotchas: Stays, Stamps, and Fines

That 45-day visa-free period sounds great, but there are nuances. If you need to stay longer, you can't just extend your visa-free entry. You have to exit Vietnam and re-enter, often using a visa on arrival or an e-visa for your next stay. Trying to game the system by doing visa runs too frequently can flag your passport.

Overstaying your welcome is where things get expensive. While exact figures fluctuate and enforcement can be inconsistent, a common penalty for minor overstays is a fine, often around $25-$50 USD per day, potentially alongside being forced to exit the country immediately. For longer or more serious overstays, you could face deportation, a ban from re-entering Vietnam for a period, and significant fines. It's not worth the risk. Also, be aware of double-entry rules; some visas or visa-free entries only permit one entry. If you leave and want to come back, you'll need a new visa or to qualify for visa-free entry again.

Working Remotely on a Tourist Stamp

Officially, working remotely for a foreign company while on a tourist visa or visa-free entry is a grey area. Vietnam doesn't have a specific digital nomad visa. Tourist visas are for tourism. However, enforcement is often lax, especially in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. You'll see plenty of people working from cafes and co-working spaces.

The key is to avoid drawing attention. Don't openly advertise your work, don't conduct business meetings that look like official company operations, and certainly don't work for a Vietnamese company. As long as you're not breaking any other laws and your presence isn't causing issues, most immigration officials aren't actively looking to catch remote workers. The e-visa system generally doesn't distinguish between tourists and remote workers.

What's New in Vietnam's Visa Rules

Vietnam has been actively updating its visa policies. The most significant recent change, implemented in August 2023, was extending the visa-free stay for citizens of 30 countries (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and EU nations) from 15 days to 45 days. This is a game-changer for short to medium stays.

Alongside this, Vietnam also expanded its e-visa program. Now, citizens from over 80 countries can apply online. The e-visa is typically valid for 90 days and allows multiple entries, which is far more flexible than previous iterations. The application fee for the e-visa is currently $25 USD for single entry and $50 USD for multiple entries†. Processing usually takes about three working days. This streamlined process makes entering Vietnam much simpler for many nationalities.